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South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Office: 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201 North Charleston, SC 29405 phone 843.571.4366 toll free 866.SAFMC-10 fax 843.769.4520 safmc@safmc.net

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Spawning Snapper Photo: Don DeMariaShem Creek, SCThe South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, is one of eight regional fishery management councils in the United States. The South Atlantic Council is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the federal 200 nautical mile limit off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east Florida to Key West.  Learn more

 
Spawning Snapper Photo: Don DeMariaShem Creek, SCThe South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, is one of eight regional fishery management councils in the United States. The South Atlantic Council is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the federal 200 nautical mile limit off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east Florida to Key West.  Learn more

 
  
 News Minimize
Council Seeks Input on MPA Use for Species Protection (April 5, 2012)
Two public workshops are scheduled in April and May to gather information on speckled hind and warsaw grouper. The Council is considering the use of marine protected areas to protect the two species.     read more...
Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants (April 4, 2012)
The Council is currently accepting applications for open seats on its advisory panels. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2012.    read more...
Council to Hold Meetings of Public Interest - (March 23, 2012)
Mark your calendar for upcoming meetings of the Council's advisory panels and a public MPA Workshop beginning in April.   read more...
Council Seeks Scientific Advisors (March 2, 2012)
The Council is seeking applicants to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee.  The deadline for applicants is May 16, 2012    read more...
Federal Fishery Managers Approve Measures to Help Protect Corals (March 14, 2012)
Working jointly, the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils have approved an amendment to create area closures to help protect threatened corals from gear impacts; additional measures taken during the March meeting include increasing the Annual Catch Limit for golden tilefish and a request to delay the opening of the commercial black sea bass fishery.    read more...

News Release Archive
  
 Meeting Announcements Minimize

Next Council Meeting:

June 11-15, 2012 in Orlando, FL.  Meeting Agenda and Briefing Book Materials will be posted as available.  Read More

March 2012 SUMMARY MOTIONS Now Available!

Note: Council meetings may be accessed via webinar as they occur. Check the meeting page periodically for updates. 

Other Meetings:

Upcoming Advisory Panel Meetings: Coral AP Meeting, May 9-10 and Habitat & Environmental Protection AP Meeting, May 15.  All meetings are accessible online as they occur. For additional information including meeting agendas, briefing book materials and links to sign up for the webinars:   Read More

April SSC Meeting FINAL REPORT Now Available!

 
  
 Announcements Minimize
 

Reminder: MPA Expert Workgroup Meeting and Public Workshop May 16-17, 2012.  See news release for details

(Note: Scroll down to access regulation updates, NOAA Fisheries public comment periods, and other items of interest.)

Regulation Updates:

New!  240' (40-fathom) Prohibition Removed Effective May 10, 2012 - NOAA Fisheries approves Council's request to remove harvest prohibitions on deepwater species.  Read Fishery Bulletin  Updated Regulation Summaries now available. 

New! Commercial Black Sea Bass Seasonal Opening Delayed  - Season to Open July 1, 2012  Read Fishery Bulletin

New Bycatch Reduction Devices Certified for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Shrimp Fisheries, effective May 11, 2012  Read Fishery Bulletin (English and Vietnamese)

Reminder:  Recreational Season for Vermilion Snapper Begins April 1, 2012. 

New!  New Regulations for Snapper Grouper, Golden Crab and Sargassum Habitat in the South Atlantic Region; and New Regulations for Dolphin and Wahoo in the Atlantic (Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment), effective April 16, 2012  See Fishery Bulletin

Reminder: Restrictions remain in place for the harvest of some deepwater species in waters greater than 240'.  Read the Fishery Bulletin regarding implementation of Snapper Grouper Amendment 17B and the Final Rule that includes waypoints for the deepwater closure.

Annual Spawning Season Closure for Shallow Water Grouper Species January through April  See Fishery Bulletin

New Regulations for Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, effective January 3, 2012 See Fishery Bulletin

Commercial harvest now limited in Special Management Zones in SC; other measures in Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2  Regulations effective January 30, 2012 See Fishery Bulletin

New Regulations for King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel and Cobia in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic.   See Fishery Bulletin 

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comment:

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Amendment 11 for Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic  Comment period ends June 26, 2012  See Fishery Bulletin  A copy of Amendment 11 + appendices is available from the Library.

Other Items of Interest:

Recreational black sea bass fishery remains closed until June 1, 2012   Read Fishery Bulletin. Adjustments made to the 2011-2012 Recreational ACL for Black Sea Bass  See Fishery Bulletin

Testimony of Council member Duane Harris before the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding NOAA's Fishery Science. Click Here to read the testimony.

Recreational Measures for Snowy Grouper, Golden Tilefish, and Black Sea Bass. See Fishery Bulletin for details regarding Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures in place for these species.

Circle Hooks Required in South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Effective March 3, 2011 Read Fishery Bulletin

Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures Set for 9 Snapper Grouper Species - Regulations Implemented January 31, 2011 and Include Deepwater Closure for Some Species - Read the Fishery Bulletin regarding implementation of Snapper Grouper Amendment 17B and the Final Rule that includes waypoints for the deepwater closure.

Red snapper closure continues effective December 3, 2010.  Read Fishery Bulletin (posted 12/3/10)  Amendment 17A and Final Rule available in the FMP Library.

Sale of snapper grouper harvested or possessed under bag limits is prohibited.  Final Rule implementing Snapper Grouper Amendment 15B published.  Read Fishery Bulletin reminder for more information.

 

 

 
  
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